Soil and Plant Scientists Salary by State
The national median pay for soil and plant scientists is $78,850 a year. By state, it ranges from $55,680 in Wyoming to $107,140 in District of Columbia.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $48,680
- 25th percentile
- $61,660
- Median
- $78,850
- 75th percentile
- $103,740
- Top 10%
- $138,120
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 15,730 jobs.
Median pay in 45 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $107,140 | +36% | $79,230 | $156,750 | 60 |
| 2 | Florida | $103,240 | +31% | $48,940 | $125,250 | 270 |
| 3 | Alaska | $100,320 | +27% | $73,690 | $167,160 | 30 |
| 4 | Iowa | $96,310 | +22% | $56,270 | $170,820 | 960 |
| 5 | Idaho | $95,150 | +21% | $58,440 | $167,960 | 540 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $91,970 | +17% | $51,420 | $128,920 | 130 |
| 7 | California | $91,930 | +17% | $49,350 | $154,830 | 1,440 |
| 8 | Oregon | $85,150 | +8% | $63,960 | $117,000 | 620 |
| 9 | Maryland | $85,020 | +8% | $53,630 | $173,440 | 200 |
| 10 | Hawaii | $84,390 | +7% | $57,000 | $117,350 | 60 |
| 11 | Arizona | $83,840 | +6% | $40,250 | $124,900 | 270 |
| 12 | Indiana | $80,030 | +1% | $57,000 | $154,990 | 440 |
| 13 | Washington | $79,970 | +1% | $63,210 | $131,220 | 520 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $79,610 | +1% | $50,490 | $136,160 | 750 |
| 15 | Illinois | $79,490 | +1% | $48,160 | $141,510 | 820 |
| 16 | South Carolina | $78,850 | 0% | $37,900 | $108,890 | 90 |
| 17 | Maine | $78,250 | −1% | $49,480 | $128,760 | 30 |
| 18 | New York | $77,800 | −1% | $58,610 | $134,230 | 260 |
| 19 | Nebraska | $77,500 | −2% | $40,030 | $121,060 | 640 |
| 20 | North Carolina | $76,330 | −3% | $47,430 | $136,830 | 570 |
| 21 | Missouri | $76,080 | −4% | $46,710 | $135,760 | 220 |
| 22 | Colorado | $75,430 | −4% | $52,420 | $288,300 | 460 |
| 23 | Montana | $73,920 | −6% | $58,290 | $105,580 | 230 |
| 24 | Virginia | $73,920 | −6% | $51,040 | $113,860 | 140 |
| 25 | South Dakota | $73,590 | −7% | $51,980 | $120,970 | 480 |
| 26 | Mississippi | $72,690 | −8% | $45,880 | $153,570 | 100 |
| 27 | Nevada | $71,450 | −9% | $50,000 | $114,990 | 90 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $70,550 | −11% | $46,750 | $124,560 | 200 |
| 29 | Massachusetts | $69,880 | −11% | $63,110 | $89,830 | Not published |
| 30 | New Mexico | $69,480 | −12% | $52,240 | $102,860 | 90 |
| 31 | Connecticut | $67,630 | −14% | $56,970 | $130,820 | 200 |
| 32 | Kentucky | $67,340 | −15% | $57,090 | $107,010 | 140 |
| 33 | Wisconsin | $66,200 | −16% | $44,620 | $89,190 | 680 |
| 34 | Kansas | $65,670 | −17% | $35,220 | $129,130 | 380 |
| 35 | Michigan | $65,390 | −17% | $50,640 | $130,100 | 570 |
| 36 | North Dakota | $65,320 | −17% | $53,590 | $117,010 | 410 |
| 37 | Delaware | $65,310 | −17% | $59,500 | $107,620 | 60 |
| 38 | Georgia | $65,170 | −17% | $46,630 | $123,040 | 210 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | $63,910 | −19% | $35,550 | $106,380 | 100 |
| 40 | Alabama | $63,010 | −20% | $27,270 | $146,810 | 110 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $61,950 | −21% | $45,510 | $103,620 | 370 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $60,200 | −24% | $35,360 | $106,150 | 170 |
| 43 | Utah | $59,900 | −24% | $39,480 | $100,420 | 90 |
| 44 | Vermont | $58,220 | −26% | $58,190 | $78,690 | Not published |
| 45 | Ohio | $56,820 | −28% | $39,150 | $103,400 | 320 |
| 46 | Wyoming | $55,680 | −29% | $49,150 | $103,380 | 50 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Soil and Plant Scientists salary questions
Which state pays soil and plant scientists the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $107,140 a year (+36% vs. the national median of $78,850). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays soil and plant scientists the least?
Wyoming, with a median of $55,680 a year (−29% vs. national).
Where do most soil and plant scientists work?
California has the most jobs, about 1,440, with a median of $91,930.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.